| | City Buses
Since Niigata doesn’t have quite the train infrastructure of more urban areas local buses can useful to get around, particularly in the larger cities. There is a plethora of routes throughout the prefecture, so it is best to consult your supervisor if you have questions.
When boarding (from the back), take a numbered ticket. The number on the ticket corresponds to the lit-up fare board above the driver’s head. Press the stop button when your stop is announced. When you get off, how much you pay is the fare under the number of your ticket. Pre-paid bus cards can also be bought at a slight discount- and they also help stop unwarranted change-fumbling. When getting on the bus, slide the card in the reader in the back. When getting off, slide it through the reader in the front. Its that easy! If you know the name of your stop in Japanese (kana), updated schedules for the Niigata City area can be found here. Local bus companies for the rest of Niigata can be searched here (Japanese only). Local Expressway Buses Especially for those without a car, expressway buses can also be a handy way to get around the prefecture. They are particularly useful for getting to/from Niigata City from the various cities, towns, and villages around Niigata prefecture. These buses obviously cost more than city buses, but work the same in that you pay when you get off. There is no ticket to take, so it is an honor system how much you pay. Below are links to time tables and fares for the different routes around Niigata- they can be tricky to figure out at first so consult your supervisor if you have questions. Times and fares can also be checked at the Niigata Bus website at www.niigata-kotsu.co.jp. Long-distance Expressway Buses Buses can also be used to get to other prefectures, and although they may take a long time can be much cheaper than other forms of travel. Times and fares can also be checked at www.niigata-kotsu.co.jp. Destinations from Niigata City: | Tokyo (Ikebukuro): | 5 hours, 5500 yen- once an hour 5am-6pm, plus one overnight | Kyoto/Osaka: | 7-8 hours, 8900-9400 yen- one daytime and one overnight route daily | | Nagoya: | 7 hours, 7800 yen- one afternoon/evening and one overnight route daily | | Kanazawa: | 5 hours, 4500 yen- 2 routes daily | | Sendai: | 4 hours, 3800 yen- 6 routes daily | Toyama: | 4 hours, 4000 yen- 2 routes daily | Nagano: | 3 hours, 3000 yen- 4 routes daily | | Takasaki (Gunma Pref): | 3.5 hours, 3800 yen- 2 routes daily | Yamagata (Yamagata Pref): | 3-4 hours, 3000-4000 yen- 2 routes daily | | Koriyama (Fukushima Pref): | 3 hours, 3000 yen- 2 routes daily | Aizu-Wakamatsu (Fukushima Pref): | 2 hours, 2000 yen- 4 routes daily |
From Joetsu/Kashiwazaki: | Tokyo (Ikebukuro): | 5-6 hours, 5300 yen - 3 routes daily |
Long-distance tickets are cheaper if bought round-trip.
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